Carrier for a vehicle

Abstract

Carrier, such as a cargo box, for a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the cargo box may comprise a bottom portion mountable to a vehicle, and a lid portion that fits together with the bottom portion to form a container for cargo. The container may have a pair of lateral sides opposite each other. The cargo box also may comprise a plurality of hinge-latch members to connect the lid portion to the bottom portion adjacent each lateral side. At least one hinge-latch member adjacent each lateral side may include a hinge, a first latch, and a second latch. The first and second latches may be adjustable individually to connect the lid portion to the bottom portion via the hinge. In another exemplary embodiment, the carrier may comprise a clamp device having a force indicator.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 677,424, filed Jul. 30, 2012; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 699,137, filed Sep. 10, 2012. Each of these provisional patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHER MATERIALS[0002]This application incorporates herein by reference each of the following patent documents in its entirety for all purposes: U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,470; U.S. Pat. No. 7,740,157; U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,436; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0194185; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0084447; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0132946 A1, published Jun. 9, 2011; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0043287 A1, published Feb. 21, 2013; PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2011 / 145952 A1, published Nov. 4, 2011; an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]Cargo boxes are vehicle top carriers that provide an enclosed storage space above the vehicle. As fuel becomes more expensive, vehicles become smaller and interior cargo space decreases, making the demand for reliable, easy-to-use top carriers even greater. Cargo boxes have become quite popular for carrying cargo and are often preferable over conventional open racks for a variety of reasons. For example, cargo boxes protect cargo from the elements, such as wind, rain, and snow, and are more secure from theft.

[0004]A system of latches may keep the cargo box closed. The latches may be located on both sides of the box, to allow the box to be opened from either side of the vehicle. However, the design of the latches often strikes a compromise between preventing a cargo box from opening accidentally while the vehicle is moving, particularly at high speed and / or through sharp turns, and permitting the cargo box to open easily and reliably when the user needs access.

Problems solved by technology

If the clamps are not tightened sufficiently, the cargo box is not fixed in place and can slide on the crossbars during vehicle travel.

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